TAMBORINE Mountain will come alive with colour and creativity when the Scarecrow Festival returns from October 24 – 26, with more than 100 handmade scarecrows expected to line the trail.
The festival began in 2007, when local resident Bernard Phare wanted to share the “magic” of the mountain with the community and visitors.
He created the idea of a scarecrow trail, and with the help of friends, the first event took shape.
“Out of the early scarecrow trail entries emerged a handsome friendly fellow, named Hay-den,’” festival organiser Anne Hardy said.
“Over the ensuing years the smiling Hay-den became the face of our Scarecrow Festival.”
Since then, volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours each year to bring the event to life, with businesses and community members vying for the honour of having their scarecrow judged a winner across a range of categories.
This year, the festival is adding live music to the mix.
“We would like to invite all buskers, young and old, to join in the celebrations,” Anne said.
“There will be allocated positions along both Gallery Walk and Main Street to showcase the creative and talented people of the Mountain and surrounding areas.”
The program begins in the lead-up to the weekend, with junior colouring and poetry competitions displayed at the Tamborine Mountain Library from 20 October.
A poetry afternoon will be held at St Bernards Hotel on Saturday 18 October, followed by the official festival launch at Cauldron Distillery on Thursday 23 October.
Judging will take place on Friday 24 October, with award presentations scheduled for Sunday 26 October at Cauldron Distillery.
“The most exciting part is a bit of everything,” Anne said.
“We are expecting to see about 100 scarecrows across the trail, all unique in design and all ex-straw-fabulous”
